Degrees

• Ph.D.
• M.S.W.

Bio

Jordan P. Lewis is Aleut and Sugpiaq and his family is from the Naknek Native Village in Southwest AK and Cannon Beach, OR. He is the Director for the Center on Aging at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He is also a Professor with the Thompson School of Social Work and Public Health. He holds a Ph.D. in Community Psychology from UAF, an MSW from Washington University in St. Louis, and a BSW from UAF, and is a certified professional gerontologist. Trained as a cross-cultural community psychologist and gerontologist, Jordan has worked with American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities to identify characteristics that enable Alaska Native Elders to age successfully, or age in a good way, and become role models for their families and communities. Using the lessons and experiences of AIAN Elders, Jordan’s research develops generative-based approaches to improve the health of all generations.

Jordan’s research agenda has made significant contributions to the field with discussions on culture-specific approaches to successful aging, including the development of a model of Alaska Native successful aging, a theory of AN healthy aging, and the concept of Indigenous cultural generativity. His research has identified Indigenous cultural generativity as a critical ingredient to successful aging, which has important implications for the wellbeing of AI/AN people, including those with ADRD, their caregivers, and family and community members.

Research interests

• Generativity as a health promotion framework; how intergenerational sharing improves health for all ages
• Indigenous healthy aging; translating wisdom to help everyone age well
• Indigenous models of Elderhood and health to train others to work respectfully with older adults and families